Lubricating apparatus.



W. E. RICHARDSON.

LUBRIGATING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED MAY 10, 1906.

vPatenmad Feb. 17, 1914.

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ATTORNEY WITNESSES:

' coLummA PLANOGRAPH co.. WASHINGTON. 1). c.

W. E. RICHARDSON. LUBRICATING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 10, 1906. 1,0 73 1 7 Patented Feb. 17, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WITNESSES: INVENTOR ff .2. M/ZM flb/S BY g I ATTORNEY COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH co., WASHINGTON, D. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFCE.

I WILBER E. RICHARDSON, OF WILKINS-BURG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO' THE RICHARDSON-PHENIX COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN.

LUBRIGA'IING- APPARATUS.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, IVILBER E. RICHARD- SON, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of lVilkinsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have made a new and useful Invention in Lubricating Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to lubricators and more particularly to lubricating apparatus for use in connection with gas and other'internal combustion engines. Lubrication of the cylinders and pistons of engines of this character has proven to be extremely difficult, especially in the large double-acting engines now becoming common.

One of the objects of this invention is to produce apparatus for the successful lubrication ofengines of this character.

Another object is to produce apparatus for feeding regulable quantities of oil, finely divided and mixed with air inthe form of spray, directly onto the engine pistons.

A further object has been to produce and arrange such apparatus whereby the spraying of oil onto the pistons will occur automatically and synchronously with the engine stroke without mechanical connection to a moving engine part.

These and other objects, which will readily appear to those skilled in this art, I attain by means of the apparatus constructed and arranged in connection with an engine cylinder as described in the specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which similar parts are denoted by like characters.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a view partially in sectional elevation of a portion of the apparatus. Fig. 2 is a view more or less diagrammatically illustrating this apparatus in connection with a gas engine, portions of which only are shown.

The apparatus consists of two parts, one part which is actuated through the agency of fluid pressure derived from the engine cylinder for collecting a predetermined amount of oil, together with air, and for forcing the charged oil and air so collected into the cylinder and onto the piston thereof in the form of spray. The second portion of the apparatus consists of means for regu- Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 10, 1906.

Patented Feb. 17, 1914. Serial No. 316,104.

lating the quantity of oil drawn into the first portion.

The first portion of the apparatus, which, for the sake of convenience, I will term the forcing portion, consists of a cylindrical member having two diameters, as at 3 and 4c. The internal bores are axially in line and into the lower portion 4 a nipple 5 is threaded and pinned. The nipple 5 serves the purpose of a spray nozzle and is provided with a check or non-return valve and forms the outlet of a compression chamber 6. Nipple 5 is threaded, preferably on a taper, into the inner cylinder wall of the engine, as

at 7, and the extended portion below the threads forms aclose fit with the walls of the hole through the cylinder wall in order to prevent the products of combustion formed within the cylinder coming in contact with the threads. The check valve, as shown in Fig. 1, is provided with a long stem 8 for a valve disk 9 and the disk is held to its seat by means of a helical spring 10.

The larger portion 3 of the cylindrical member, which I will term the motor cylinder,-closely fits an opening formed in the outer, or Waterjacket, shell of the engine cylinder and the joint between it and the shell is kept tight by means of a yielding gasket 11 held in place under compression by plate 12. A. cylindrically-formed head 13, for the motor cylinder, is threaded into the outer end of sald cylinder and its internal bore is axially in line with the bore of said cylinder.

Two pistons 14 and 15, 14 being themotor piston, connected by means of a connecting member 16 smaller in diameter than the bore within the head, are adapted to reciprocate Within the motor cylinder and the bore of the head respectively. A helical spring 17, surrounding a rod projection of piston 15, which extends through the head portion, and lying between the head portion and a washer 18 secured on the rod, tends to hold the motor piston 14 against the inner end of the head, as shown in Fig. 1. 7

Connected to a projection 19 of motor piston 14 through lost-motion connections, is a piston 20 which fits the smaller bore,

forming compression chamber 6. Piston 2O is formed hollow, as shown in Fig. 1, and the extreme end of piston projection 19 forms a valve which seats within the hollow portion of piston 20 at 21. The lost-motion connections between piston 20 and projection 19 comprise two pins 22 and 23, the ends of which lie within the walls of piston 20 while the center portions, or portions between the ends, pass through holes drilled through projection 19 of such diameters that the lost-motion connections are formed.

A. hole 2dr is drilled through projection 19, motor piston 1 1-, connecting member 16 and piston 15, and a plurality of holes 25 connect hole 2 1 to the clearance space between the outer end of piston 15 and the end of the cylinder head. The lower end of hole is closed by means of aplug 26. By means of passages 27 and 28 drilled into the cylinder head, and by means of suitable piping 29 and a. check valve 30, hole 2 1 is placed in communication with the second portion oi the apparatus or oil-feeding device 31. An air supply pipe 32 also connect-s with pipe 29. The oil feeding device, which may be supplied with oil from any suitable source of supply, such as a tank or suitable pump, is so regulated that a desired quantity of oil regularly drips into pipe 29.

The annular space between connecting member 16 and the bore of the head mem her, and, therefore, the space above motor piston 1 1, is placed in communication by means of a passage 33 and pipe 290 with the clearance space of the gas engine cylinder to be lubricated. In Fig. 2 I have shown passage 33 connected to the indicator cock 3st. for one end of the gas engine cylinder, which may be designated 35. In this figure, for the sake of illustration, I have shown what may be taken to be a portion of the cylinder of a double acting gas engine with its piston 36 shown at the end of its compression stroke and adjacent to cylinder head. It will be seen that when in this position the spray nozzle of the lubricating apparatus stands in line with the engine piston and it will be noted that whatever oil is projected through the nozzle will pass through onto the piston.

Assuming that the oil feeding device is adjusted so that sufiicient oil accumulates in the pipe 29, between successive upward movements of the motor piston 14, to con stitute a lubricating charge, the operation is as follows: As soon as sufficient compression takes place within the engine cylinder to overcome the stress of spring 17, motor piston 14: will be moved downwardly, it being subjected to the pressures within the cylinder. Compression piston 20 in moving downward with piston 14: compresses the contents of chamber 6 which will remain confined until the stress of spring 10 has been overcome, at which time the contents of chamber 6 will be projected around valve stem 8 out past the valve 9, which with nipple 5 forms a spray nozzle, onto the engine piston. Spring 17 is of such strength that motor piston 14: will not begin its downward movement until the engine piston has moved to a point within the path of the spray from the nozzle. The piston 15 is in reality nothing more or less than a piston valve intended at all times to cut oti' communication between passages 33 and 27 and, when spring 17 is compressed, to stand opposite to and close the outlet of passage The parts are so proportioned that when piston let is at one limit of its stroke the piston or valve 15 will be opposite the passage 33.

To clearly understand the action of the apparatus it should be noted that the piston 14, as shown by Fig. l of the drawings, rests against the head 13 whereby a part of its area is not subjected to the pressure of the gases and it should be noted that, on account of the flare at the open end of the bore in the head, a greater area of piston let is exposed to pressure than is the case with piston 15 so there exists no balancing of pressures. Piston 20 is of smaller effective area than piston 14 so that a greater pressure can be created or generated in compression chamber 6 than the pressure which exists in the clearance space within the cylinder, the pipe 290 and on piston ll so that the air compressed in compression chamber (5 can force valve 9 open and escape past it into the cylinder and onto the piston, carrying with it the oil and spraying the oil onto the piston. The drawings show the parts in the positions which they occupy at the end of the exhaust stroke (or at the beginning of the suction stroke) of a four cycle engine. As the engine piston 36 moves to the left (see Fig. 2 of the drawings) the positions of the parts as shown by Fig. 1 of the drawings remain unchanged. The valve 9 is closed. The piston 1st is seated against the head 13. The projection 19 is withdrawn from its seat 21 so that free communication exists between compression chamber 6, bore 24 and passages 27 and 2S and piston 20 is at its outer limit of stroke. hen the suction stroke has been completed and the engine piston moves to the right (Fig. 1 of the drawings) on the compression stroke the parts still retain the positions shown by Fig. 1 of the drawings until the charge has been compressed to such a degree that the pressure exerted on piston 14: is su'liicient to overcome the tension of spring 17 and move piston 1d away from head 13. As previously explained the tension of spring 17 is such that the piston 36 must be opposite nipple 5 and valve 9 before piston 14 can be moved oil on the piston.

by the pressure exerted upon it.' When the piston 14 is moved by the pressure exerted upon it, the following operations take place: The end of projection 19 seats against seat 21 of piston 20 thereby shutting off communication between compression chamber 6 and bore 24 so that the air and oil in compression chamber 6 is confined therein. The instantthe piston 14 moves away from head 13 the whole area of the piston 14 is subjected to pressure and the piston 14 is immediately driven to its full limit of stroke driving piston 20 before it and compressing the air in compression chamber 6 so that its pressure is suflicient to open valve 9 and the air and oil rush out past valve 9 spraying the The energy of motion of the piston 14 and parts connected there with is suflicient to cause said parts so that piston 15 passes infront of passage 33 and is at that place when the explosion takes place in the cylinder. The spring 17 recovering from its extra compression due to the overthrow of piston 14 pulls piston 15 away from in front of passage 33 but can move pistons 15 and 14 no farther until there is a sufiicient reduction of the pressure in the engine cylinder and passage 33 for the spring 17 to overcome the pressure exerted upon the piston 14. This condition will not occur, ordinarily, until the completion of the power stroke and the opening of the exhaust valve. \Vhen the pressure is relieved on piston 14 the spring 17 returns the piston to the position shown by Fig. 1 of the drawings and in so doing the projection 19 is lifted from the seat 21 on piston 20, and the piston 20 is drawn out to its limit of stroke thereby pumping into compression chamber 6 air and oil through bore 24 and passages 27 and 28 (the valve 9 having been closed by spring 10 at or before the first movement of piston 20). The several parts now retain their positions as shown by Fig. 1 of the drawings until the next compression stroke of the engine piston 36 when the operations already described are repeated.

It will be understood that when this apparatus is used in conjunction with singleacting four-cycle engines, oil will be sprayed onto the piston at or near the end of every compression stroke, and that the apparatus will remain at rest during the charging and exhaust strokes. lVhen the apparatus is utilized in conjunction with double-acting engines one will be necessary for each end of the cylinder. When utilized in conjunction with two-cycle engines, of the single or double acting type, the apparatus will operate to spray oil onto the piston in the same manner at or near the end of each compression stroke. These extra number of lubricating periods, owing to the difference in an overthrow of cycle of the two engines, may be compensated for by cut-ting down the supply of oil to the apparatus by means of the regulable sight feed device 31. v

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, I have described the principle of operation of my invention, together with the apparatus, which I now believe to represent the best embodiment thereof; but I desire to have it understood that the apparatus shown is only illustrative and that the invention can be carried out by other means.

WVhat I claim as new and useful and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination with the, cylinder and piston of an internal combustion engine, a collecting chamber for oil and air and means responsive to the compression pressure within the engine cylinder for forcing the contents of said chamber onto the engine piston.

2. In lubricating apparatus, in combina tion with an engine, a regulable source of oil, supply, a chamber and means whereby oil from said supply, collected in said chamber, an outlet leading from said chamber to the engine cylinder and means responsive to the compression pressure within the engine cylinder for forcing the contents of said chamber through said outlet.

3. In lubricating apparatus for an engine and in combination therewith, a regulable oil-supply device, a compression chamber, means for drawing a supply of oil, together with air, into said chamber, a valved outlet provided in the walls of said chamber and means actuated through the agency of the fluid pressure within the engine cylinderto compress the contents of said chamber and to project the same onto the engine piston.

4. In combination with the cylinder and piston of an engine, lubricating apparatus, comprising a regulable oil-feeding device, a chamber having a valved outlet, a member movable in one direction within said chamber to draw oil and air thereinto and means for actuating said member through the agency of fluid pressure derived from the engine cylinder to compress the contents of said chamber and force it onto the engine piston in the form of spray.

5. In combination with an engine, instrumentalities for collecting a supply of oil and air, means actuated through the agency of fluid pressure derived from the engine cylinder during the compression stroke for compressing said supply, and means for causing the compressed supply to be projected onto the engine piston in the form of spray.

' 6. In combination with a cylinder and piston of an engine, means for collecting and confining a charge of oil and air within a. chamber, and means, responsive to the fluid pressure within said cylinder, for forcing said charge into said cylinder.

7. In a lubricating apparatus, an oil supplying device provided with an air supply port, means for collecting and confining a charge of oil and air within a chamber, a valved nozzle outlet for said chamber, and fluid-pressure-operated means for compressing said charge, opening said valve and forcing the charge through said nozzle.

8. In a lubricating apparatus, in combination with an internal combustion engine, a regulable source of oil supply, a. chamber communicating therewith, a spray nozzle outlet leading from said chamber to the engine cylinder, a member responsive to pressure within said engine cylinder for forcing the contents of said chamber through said nozzle, said member being provided with a passageway for the delivery of oil.

9. In a lubricating apparatus the combination with the cylinder and piston of an internal combustion engine of a member provided with a pressure chamber therein, a nozzle leading from said pressure chamber to the interior of the cylinder at a point where it will be alternately covered and uncovered by the piston, a spring actuated valve to normally close said nozzle, relatively movable piston members provided with holes to supply lubricant and air to said pressure chamber and movable in one direction to cut off the supply of lubricant and air from said pressure chamber and to compress the air therein to open said valve and spray the lubricant onto the piston in the cylinder when it covers the nozzle, saic compressing and spraying being eilected by a fluid under pressure, and means to move the relatively movable piston members in the opposite direction to supply the pres sure chamber with another charge of lubricant and air.

10. In combination in a lubricating device, a source of oil supply, a chamber communicating therewith and receiving lubricant therefrom, a delivery chamber adapted to deliver lubricant to the apparatus to be lubricated, a reciprocatable member provided with a passage connecting said chambers, and a compression piston carried by and actuating said member and adapted to control the delivery of lubricant through said passage.

11. In combination in a lubr cating apparatus, a source of lubricant supply, a chamber communicating therewith, a delivery chamber, a reciprocatable member lo cated between said chambers, a compression piston located in said delivery chamber and carried by said member, and a lost motion connection between said piston and said member controlling communication between said chambers.

12. In combination in a lubricating apparatus, a lubricant receiving chamber and a lubricant delivering chamber, a reciprocatable member between said chambers, a compression piston located in said delivery chamber, and a lost motion connection be tween said piston and said member whereby said member is adapted tocontrol the delivery of lubricant from said receiving to said delivering chamber.

13. In combination in a lubricating apparatus, a source of oil supply, a receiving chamber communicating therewith, a delivery chamber provided with a valved delivery passage communicating with the apparatus to be lubricated, a reciprocatable member provided with a passage connecting said chambers, a compression piston carried by said reciprocatable member, means whereby said piston is adapted to alternately establish and cut oil communication between said chambers during the operation of said reciprocatable member, and a valve for said valve passage responsive to the operation of said piston.

14. In combination with an engine cylinder, a chamber for collecting a charge of oil and air and a plunger responsive to pres sure within said chamber for forcing oil and air from said chamber into said cylinder.

15. In combination with an engine cylinder, a collecting chamber for confining a charge of oil and air, a plunger responsive to pressure within said cylinder for forcing the charge of oil and air into said cylinder and a valve between said plunger and said cylinder responsive to the operation of said plunger.

16. In combination with an engine cylinder, a source of oil supply, a chamber communicating with said oil supply, an oil delivery nozzle communicating with said cylinder, a movable member responsive to fluid pressure within said cylinder and means carried by said member for controlling the delivery of lubricant from the chamber to said nozzle.

17. The combination with a cylinder and a piston mOvable therein, said cylinder be ing provided with an aperture for the introduction of lubricant at a point alternately covered and uncovered by said piston, of means for spraying lubricant with compressed air through said aperture at predetermined times and when said piston covers said aperture.

18. The combination with a cylinder and a piston movable therein, said cylinder being provided with an aperture for the introduction of lubricant at a point alternately covered and uncovered by said piston, of

means for spraying lubricant and com- In testimony whereof I have hereunto pressed air through said aperture at predesubscribed my name thls seventh day of termined times and when said piston'covers May, 1906. said aperture, and a valve to normally close WILBER E. RICHARDSON.

5 said aperture to prevent lubricant entering Witnesses:

the cylinder except at the predetermined DAVID WILLIAMS,

times. E. W. MOOALLISTER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, 30.0. r 

